Man drowns in Polk County

Man drowns in Polk County

July 26th, 2014by Staff Report in Local - Breaking News

A 57 year-old Cleveland, Tenn., man drowned Saturday in Polk County, said Steve Lofty, chief of West Polk Fire and Rescue.

The white male was swimming a little west of Max Point Recreation Area, Lofty said. A camper on the shore saw him swimming to a small cove. As the man was swimming back he began to experience difficulty. The camper attempted a rescue, but by the time he got there the man had already gone under the water and could not be found, according to Lofty.

The camper got out and called 911, and responders started a two-part grid search and found the body, Lofty said.

The man's identity was withheld until his family has been informed.

The U.S. Forest Servicesis taking the lead on the investigation.

According to Lofty, no other drownings have occurred in this area in the recent past.